Multi-container package

ABSTRACT

A multi-container package of cans, bottles or other containers, detachably connected together in side by side arrangement into a self-contained portable package by adhesive means consisting of single short lengths of double coated adhesive tape. The center body of the tape may be sponge-like, synthetic or fibrous material, preferably such as closed cell foam, coated on opposite sides with pressure sensitive adhesive having a high initial tack for adherence to facing surfaces of adjacent containers. The center body of the tape has a predictable shear failure limit for its intended use that permits separation of one container by manual pull while the rest of the package remains intact.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,902,992 Schuster Sept. 2, 1975 [54] MULTI-CONTAINER PACKAGE 3,415,714 12/1968 Hider l6l/16l 3,671,364 6/1972 Guinan 161/167 UX [75] Inventor 2;? Schusier, Nonhglenn, 3,759,373 9/1973 Werth Ct a1 206/427 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATl NS [73] Ass1gnee: Adolph Coors Company, Golden, 0

C010. 1,061,995 3/1967 Un1ted Kingdom 206/428 [22] Filed: May 41 1973 Primary ExaminerDavis T. Moorhead [211 App] 357,108 Attorney, Agent, or FirmBertha L. MacGregor 52 11.5. C1. 206/427; 161/161; 206/162; [57] ABSTRACT 206/503 A multi-container package of cans, bottles or other [51] Int. Cl. 865D 67/00 containers, detachably connected g h in si by [58] Field of Sea h 206/447, 460, 504 427 side arrangement into a self-contained portable pack- 206/43l, 433, 162; 220/9 PC, 524, 523; age by adhesive means consisting of single short 161/167 161 159 lengths of double coated adhesive tape. The center body of the tape may be sponge-like, synthetic or f1- [56] Refe Cit d brous material, preferably such as closed cell foam, UNITED STATES PATENTS coated on opposite sides with pressure sensitive adhe- 2 292 024 8 1942 D h 206 813 sive having a high initial tack for adherence to facing 41954 2061162 surfaces of adjacent containers. The center body of 5 1 3/1957 Fletcher X the tape has a predictable shear failure limit for its in- 3:062:373 1 H1962 Reynolds 206/432 X tended use that permits separation of one container by 3,160,549 12/1964 Caldwell et a1. 161/159 ux manual P While the rest of the Package remains 3,206,020 9/1965 Billingsley ct a1 206/432 tact. 3,261,126 7 1966 Marks 161/27 3,388,791 6/1968 Walsh 206/428 x 1 4 D'awmg Flgm'es /l4 III I 1 l 1 I ll l l 1 1 1 I l I |1| l l i i I 1 J' MULTI-CONTAINER PACKAGE This invention relates to a multi-container package of cans or bottles containing beer, other beverages or contents, commonly called o-Packs. The invention is an improvement upon the disclosed in co-pcnding applica tion Ser. No. 198,148, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,373 assigned to the assignee of this invention. The multi-unit package consists of a plurality of filled cans or bottles detachably connected together in side by side arrangement into a self-contained package free of any holder, tray, strap, handle or wrapping, detachably bonded together by adhesive means applied to a container on a side surface facing a side surface of another container, said adhesive means being located in parallel narrow areas spaced apart 90 from each other and parallel to the axis of the container, located between and spaced from the ends of the container. The production of a self-contained package such as described serves the purpose of eliminating all packaging materials and solid waste.

The main object of this invention is to provide a multi-container package of the character described in which the adhesive means employed for connecting the containers together is capable of bonding the plurality of containers together to withstand the rigors of handling, shipping, exposure to elements, temperature changes, compatability with printing inks on the containers, while permitting separation by manual pulling apart. Said adhesive means preferably consists of cellular type synthetics that possess a predictable shear failure within the limits for the intended use, in tape form, coated on both sides with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The sponge-like synthetic body of the tape may be cellular foam, polyethylene, polypropylene or similar cell type synthetic, or may be a fibrous material. The adhesive is generally odor free and nonoffensive, preferably chill proof, with high initial tack, and clean white appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide adhesive means for bonding containers together in the multicontainer package of my invention which does not leave too much residue on the containers after separation from each other. I have found that tape 1/32 inch thick, 1/4 inch wide and 1 inch or longer is suitable. Thicker tape serves to bond containers together, but leaves too much residue on the containers after separation.

Another object is to produce a multi-container'package in which a plurality of containers are bonded together by adhesive means located in most advantageous areas of the facing surfaces. Location of the tape on the container and its relative size have an effect on the performance of the package. The nearer the top or the bottom of the container the tape is placed has an effect on the leverage, while if the tape is located in the middle of the container, it works as a pivot, the pivot being a function of the modulous elasticity and dimensions of the tape. In bonding a plurality of cylindrical cans, inches in height, it has been found advantageous to apply tape 2 inches in length, spaced from the can bottom 2% inches and from the can top 1 inch. This arrangement of the adhesive means on the can surfaces that face surfaces of adjacent cans has been found efficient for dependably bonding the cans together and permitting the non-bonded areas of each cylindrical container side surface to be gripped on opposite sides for carrying the whole package, while also permitting separation of one of the bonded containers from the others without requiring undesirable manual force for that purpose.

Another object of the invention is to produce a multicontainer package of the character described in which the bonding means for connecting the containers together is compatible with the printing ink conventionally employed in printing the outer surfaces of containers such as beer cans and the like. The synthetic compositions described herein are compatible with printing inks that contain silicon, titanium dioxide and polyethylene.

Another object of the invention is to produce a multicontainer package of the character described in which the adhesive means connecting the containers together has sufficient initial tack to stand the rigors of conveying, palletizing, shipping, etc., exposure to the elements, and varying temperatures, while nevertheless the consumer must be able to separate an individual container from the pack and leave the remaining containers intact. The amount of tensile is approximately 26 pounds pull strength on the corner can of the pack,

pulling horizontally from a point on the can in line with the mid-point of the tape. The pulling force minimum should be in the range of 12 to 14 pounds. These figures are equated with consumer demand for ease and convenience covering a wide range of consumers.

When a length of the described tape is applied to the facing surfaces of two containers and subjected to sufficient force to fail, it separates in a flat cross section leaving approximately 50% of the tape on each of two separated containers. The tenacity ofthe adhesive interfaced with the container and interfaced with the tape must be stronger and have more adherence that the foam center body in order to prevent separation at either of the interfaces which would leave a tacky surface exposed to the consumer and an offensivefeel to the user. When separated by shearing of the tape center body, the tape leaves a dry sponge-like residue on the container. This is an advantage because the residue provides a dry friction surface for gripping by the fingers of the user that eliminates the cold wet feel of a refrigerated product and decreases the amount of grip normally required to keep such a container from slipping from the fingers.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of one of a plurality of containers comprising the multi-container package of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the multi-containers package or 6-pack consisting of six of the containers of FIG. 1 bonded together on their facing side surfaces.

FIG. 3 is an elevational side view of one of a plurality of bottles which may be part of the multi-container package.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a piece of double coated tape which is the adhesive means employed for bonding together the plurality of containers comprising the multcontainer package.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the beverage can 10 consists of a cylindrical body 11 of uniform diameter closed at its bottom 12 and necked at its upper end 13. The top cover or lid 14 is crimped on the edge of the necked portion 13. Due to the diminished diameter of the necked portion, the lid 14 does not extend radially beyond the diameter of the larger diameter cylindrical body portion ll and therefore the lid or end 14 does not interfere with side contact of the cans 10. Adhesive means 15, such as shown in FIG. 4, in tape form. comprises a foam center 16, adhesive outer coat 17 on one side and 18 on the other side of the center. The center 16 may be cellular foam. polyethylene, polypropylene or similar cell type synthetic, or may be a fibrous material. The adhesive coatings l7, 18. are pressure sensitive, with high initial tack, having more or stronger adherence to the bonded containers than the structural components of the tape center have to each other. thereby to prevent separation at either interface which would leave a tacky surface exposed instead of the dry sponge-like residue that results when approximately half of the tape center 16 remains fastened to each of two separated containers 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, six cans 10 have been assembled into a portable unitary package by the adhesive means 15 applied to cans 10. The cans are identified by the encircled numerals l-6 inclusive. The exact method of application of the adhesive means 15 may vary but only one length of adhesive tape 15 is required between facing surfaces of cans designated by encircled numerals 1 and 2, between facing surfaces of containers designated 2 and 3, between containers 1 and 4, between containers 4 and 5, between containers 2 and 5. between containers 5 and 6, and between containers 3 and 6. Thus only seven lengths of the double coated adhesive tape 15 are required to bond together the six containers of the unitary package shown.

The embodiment of the invention as applied to bottles 20 is shown in FIG. 3 where the bottle has a uniform diameter body 21, tapering upper portion 22 and cap 23. Lengths of adhesive double coated tape 15 function in the same manner as the adhesive means de scribed as applied to other containers that have contacting side surfaces.

The application of this invention to side surfaces of adjacent containers without contact-interfering contours. by the use of single lengths of double coated pressure sensitive adhesive tape having the characteristics described. results in a unitary. self-contained portable package consisting of firmly united but detachable containers capable of withstanding the rigors of handling, shipping. temperature changes. exposure to elements. without premature or unintended separation.

I claim:

1. A multi-container package which is self-contained and portable, free of any handle. holder. tray. strap or wrapper. comprising a plurality of containers located side by side and detachably bonded together by adhesive means consisting of double coated adhesive tape. the said adhesive means between adjacent sides of two containers being a single length of said tape having a sponge-like center and pressure sensitive adhesive coatings on opposite sides of said center. said adhesive coated sides adhering to facing surfaces of adjacent sides of two containers. said tape being cellular synthetic material. each length of tape being axially parallel to the container and located between and spaced from the container top and bottom. the tape center between opposite side coatings having a predictable shear failure limit and responding to pull applied for detaching one container from another by tearing the center without separating the adhesive coating of the tape from the container. the tape length being approximately two-fifths of the height of the container to which it is applied. and said tape being spaced from the container top approximately one-fifth of said height and from the container bottom approximately twofifths of said height. whereby a firm bonding of the containers is obtained while avoiding having the tape act 

1. A MULTI-CONTAINER PACKAGE WHICH IS SELF-CONTAINED AND PORTABLE, FREE OF ANY HANDLE HOLDER, TRAY, STRAP OR WRAPPER, COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS LOCATED SIDE BY SIDE AND DETACHABLY BONDED TOGETHER BY ADHESIVE MEANS CONSISTING OF DOUBLE COATED ADHESIVE TAPE, THE SAID ADHESIVE MEANS BETWEEN ADJACENT SIDES OF TWO CONTAINERS BEING A SINGLE LENGTH OF SAID TAPE HAVING A SPONGE-LIKE CENTER AND PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE COATINGS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CENTER, SAID ADHESIVE COATED SIDES ADHERING TO FACING SURFACES OF ADJACENT SIDES OF TWO CONTAINERS, SAID TAPE BEING CELLULAR SYNTHETIC MATERIAL, EACH LENGTH OF TAPE BEING AXIALLY PARALLEL TO THE CONTAINER AND LOCATED BETWEEN AND SPACED FROM THE CONTAINER TOP AND BOTTOM, THE TAPE CENTER BETWEEN OPPOSITE SIDE COATINGS HAVINGS A PREDICTABLE SHEAR FAILURE LIMIT AND RESPONDING TO PULL APPLIED FOR DETACHING ONE CONTAINER FROM ANOTHER BY TEARING THE CENTER WITHOUT SEPARATING THE ADHESIVE COATING OF THE TAPE FROM THE CONTAINER, THE TAPE LENGTH BEING APPROXIMATELY TWO-FIFTHS OF THE HEIGHT OF THE CONTAINER TO WHICH IT IS APPLIED, AND SAID TAPE BEING SPACED FROM THE CONTAINER TOP APPROXIMATELY ONEFIFTH OF SAID HEIGHT AND FROM THE CONTAINER BOTTOM APPROXIMATELY TWO-FIFTHS OF SAID HEIGHT, WHEREBY A FIRM BONDING OF THE CONTAINERS IS OBTAINED WHILE AVOIDING HAVING THE TAPE ACT AS A PIVOT. 